Wednesday, 24 August, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

Romans 14:1-12

¹ As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. ² One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. ³ Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. ⁴ Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

⁵ One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ⁶ The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. ⁷ For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. ⁸ If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. ⁹ For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

¹⁰ Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; ¹¹ for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”

¹² So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

There were great problems within the early church with people thinking that certain behavior was required of Christians even though there wasn’t a clear Biblical statement requiring this behavior. There were fights about what you could eat and whether you should observe Jewish festival days. There was much confusion as some people insisted you had to do things one way and others argued for the exact opposite. What should people do?

Paul had to deal with this problem in the Roman church. Obviously, from the way Paul talks about these issues, they were not crucial issues where people’s salvation was on the line as it was in Galatia. Paul’s letter to the Galatians is a scathing denunciation of people who were adding requirements to the gospel, and he had very harsh things to say against those who were wrong about issues essential for salvation. Paul doesn’t talk that way here to the Romans, and therefore issues before him here were peripheral to salvation.

Also, Paul doesn’t appeal to the extant scriptures to settle these disputes. Therefore I conclude that there wasn’t a clear scriptural command in these areas. People could legitimately come to differing conclusions based upon their understanding of the scriptures. They couldn’t all be right in their conflicting conclusions, but there wasn’t a clear “Thou shalt do X” statement that would settle the dispute.

What do we learn from this?

There are going to be peripheral issues that we as Christians will disagree about. They are not issues that are central to the gospel, and there is no clear command in scripture that we can fall back upon to settle the matter. In these cases, we need to study the scriptures for guidance and then act in accordance with what we believe is the right thing to do.

But we also need to not condemn others who come to differing conclusions in these areas. Accept that they too have studied the scriptures, and have come to a different conclusion. We can discuss our differences. We can explain how the scriptures point us to the conclusions we have made, and we can listen to and critique their scriptural reasons for their conclusions. But we must not despise or condemn others because they have come to different conclusions on peripheral issues.

The trick is knowing what are the peripheral issues and what are the issues that are essential to salvation. We must not compromise in the essentials.

The essentials are the things that define orthodox Christianity. They would deal with things like these: The definition of the Trinity. The dual nature of Jesus Christ as both fully God and fully man. The fall of man and Original Sin. The Incarnation of Jesus Christ and the virgin birth. The atonement. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. The scriptures as originally written are God’s infallible word to us. Jesus Christ will return again to judge the living and the dead. There is an eternal hell for those who do not come to God in faith, trusting in Jesus Christ as their own provision for their salvation.

I’ll just give one example of something that I struggle with as what I believe to be a peripheral issue: Sabbath observance. What is the right way to keep the fourth commandment?

I’ve come to the conclusion that Sabbath observance means that I should attend worship, avoid doing business on Sundays, and make it a day of resting. I avoid shopping and doing work around the house. But I do the dishes. I play games with the kids. I listen to the radio.

I know some people think that I am too legalistic in my Sabbath observance, and others think that I am far to lax.

When I come to an issue like Sabbath observance, I find this passage in Romans to be a great help as I struggle with knowing how to please God with my conduct when there are so many differing opinions on what is right to do in these areas that are not essential to salvation.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Paul points out that as Christians, we are all united in our service to our Lord even though we might be divided in our understanding of how to obey Him in some of these side issues. But our purpose is to live for Him.

Paul tells us that Jesus Christ died to unite all those who will come to Him in faith as children of God. As such, we are going to give an account to Him of our actions, and He will deal with these issues. We should not try to force our own view of these peripheral issues onto other people. Let God take care of them and enjoy the unity that was purchased for us by the life and death of Jesus Christ.

Saturday, 20 August, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

Romans 10:5-17

⁵ For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. ⁶ But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷ or “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. ¹³ For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

¹⁴ But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?[c] And how are they to hear without someone preaching? ¹⁵ And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” ¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” ¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

In today’s passage, Paul deals with the question of how we can be right with God. If you seek to be right with God based upon what you do, then you have to be perfect. Always. But there is another way to be right with God, and it is a way that is based upon faith rather than your works.

Where is this salvation to be found? You don’t have to work your way to heaven to find it. You don’t have to go to hell to extract the secret from there. Salvation is very close to you, and it doesn’t require your works. This salvation can be found in the preached word, for faith comes from hearing…the word of Christ.

Since preaching is so important, Paul goes on to tell us that the roll of the preacher is vitally important. If salvation comes through the preached word, then people need a someone to bring this saving message to them. In fact, Paul goes so far as to say that God works faith in our hearts as we hear the message of Jesus Christ preached in the gospel. The preacher has been granted a great privilege as well as a tremendous responsibility.

What do we learn from this?

Have you ever felt that you were lacking in faith? Have you ever thought that by now you really should be able to trust God more in your Christian walk? Or have you been able to look back and think that earlier in your life you were closer to God? Or maybe as you look at your life, you realize that you never have trusted in God for your salvation, and you have been trying to earn favor with God by your good works. But you realize how important faith in God is, and you want to have faith or increase it. What should you do?

You don’t have to ascend into heaven to bring it down. You don’t have to descend into the abyss to bring it up. In fact, you can’t create the faith by any works you might do. Stop trying to earn it.

Instead, you should put yourself in the place where God has promised to meet His people and provide them with saving faith: place yourself under the faithful preaching of the gospel, for faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Listen to God’s word. Seek God in His word. Trust Him to provide the faith.

Notice that faith doesn’t come through skits, or drama, or liturgical dance. It doesn’t come through movie clips, or puppet shows, or praise bands. It comes from the faithful preaching of the gospel. If we believe this to be true, the faithful preaching of the gospel should be central to what we do in our worship services.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Notice what Paul calls the gospel message that causes faith in God’s people: the word of Christ. It is Christ Jesus that we preach. He is the message. His birth, life, death and resurrection were all done for the salvation of His people. The scriptures point us to this great act of redemption which God accomplished. That is what we preach.

I’ve included the Where is Christ in this passage? section in my meditations of the scriptures because He is central to all of scripture, and we should seek Him there. If our pastors are doing their job right, we should hear about Christ every Sunday in the sermon. Our pastors should point us to Christ in the passage before us for that Sunday. We should hear the gospel presented and hear the word of Christ in the preaching.

Tuesday, 16 August, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

Romans 6:20-23

²⁰ When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. ²¹ But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. ²² But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We tend to think that when we become a Christian and are committed to a life of obedience to God we are then shackled and limited in what we can do. We think of it as not being free to do what we really want to do. Freedom would be release from God’s restraints upon us.

Paul turns this thinking on its head and tells us that rather than being free before we were Christians, we were not free before we were Christians. We were enslaved to sin, and we were completely unable to obey God. It is only after we have been regenerated and had our nature changed that we are finally freed to obey.

Paul challenges us to think about the fruit of disobedience. Think about the wages you get from sin. The end result of these actions is death. Compare that to the result of obedience: sanctification and eternal life.

What do we learn from this?

We are always slaves to something: to sin or to righteousness. And though we think that God’s law is constraining upon us as Christians, as God works in us to change our nature, we actually are freed from the tyranny of sin. Things are just the opposite of what we naturally think.

Where is Christ in this passage?

The freedom we find in being released from the power of sin comes as a free gift from God as we are in Christ Jesus. Earlier in the chapter Paul talks about how we are united to Christ in our baptism. Our freedom from sin and the gift of eternal life are the direct result of our unity with Christ who has won our freedom for us.

It is through Jesus Christ’s work that we are freed from sin and are now able to obey God. And it is in obedience that we reap the fruits of sanctification and end in eternal life.

Sunday, 14 August, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

Romans 4:1-8

¹ What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? ² For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. ³ For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” ⁴ Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. ⁵ And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, ⁶ just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

⁷ “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
⁸ blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

We live in an age where many TV programs, books, CDs and movies all compete for public attention by presenting something more shocking than has ever been done before. They want the audience to say, “I can’t believe what I just saw/heard/read!” in the hopes that they will all tell their friends and so increase the ratings.

Well, here before us in today’s passage from Romans is something absolutely shocking. But it isn’t shocking in order to increase ratings. It is shocking because it goes so counter to what we have built into us.

And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness….

What do we learn from this?

God justifies the ungodly. God declares wicked people to be in right standing with Himself. We know He should condemn them. But Paul tells us God justifies the ungodly. And worst of all, when Paul mentions the ungodly, he doesn’t just mean the really nasty person down the street. Paul means you and me. All of us are considered ungodly, because Paul has just established in chapter 3 that we are all guilty of sin before God.

This is shocking to us in another way. Everything in our nature tells us that we have to earn our way to heaven. We’ve got to be good enough. We have to have enough good works to outweigh the bad ones, tipping the scales for us and getting us into heaven. We’ve got to work our way into God’s favor.

Paul tells us that we can’t work to earn God’s favor. Rather, we must come to God, not trusting in our works, but trusting in Him to justify us in spite of our works! That is how we are counted as righteous before God. Our good works are never going to be good enough, and so we must stop trusting in them for our ability to please God.

Where is Christ in this passage?

We must be perfect before God. We need to obey God’s law completely, all the time. We are lacking in the perfect righteousness needed for God to credit us with heaven.

Yet Paul tells us that we can be declared righteous despite our works. We can have perfect righteousness. The perfect righteousness we need to be declared just before God is the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ, credited to us by grace through the instrument of faith. Thus Paul tells us that it is through faith that we are justified, and not through our own imperfect and insufficient good works.

So we are saved by good works, but not by our own good works. Our own good works will never be good enough. We are saved by the good works of Jesus Christ, credited to us by faith.

God justifies the ungodly. Now isn’t that something shocking?

Thursday, 11 August, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

Romans 1:1-7

¹ Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, ² which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, ³ concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh ⁴ and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, ⁵ through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, ¹ including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

⁷ To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In following the Robert Murry M’Cheyne’s Daily Bible Reading Calendar, today we begin our second time through the book of Romans this year. The schedule takes us through the New Testament and the Psalms twice a year, and the rest of the Old Testament once.

Our meditation will be on the very opening of the book, where Paul introduces himself and addresses his audience. Paul calls himself a “servant of Christ Jesus”. The word “servant” is the Greek word “doulos” which means “a slave, bondman, man of servile condition” [Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament].

A “doulos” (slave) belongs to a “kurios” (lord). And in Paul’s case, he states that he is a slave to Jesus Christ, and is appointed as an apostle (”sent one”) for the purpose of preaching the gospel (”good news”). This gospel isn’t anything new, as it “promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures”. And so Paul is just making plain after the work of Christ that which was not clearly understood before, but nevertheless previously was prophesied.

What do we learn from this?

Paul was given a specific task, that of apostleship. As such, he wrote to the church in Rome, and this letter has been divinely preserved for us in the book we are going to read through in the next half month. Paul’s purpose is by the grace of God to “to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations”. Paul desires the gospel to go out in power and spread through the whole world. And he desires this gospel to change peoples lives, that their faith impacts their conduct, and all for God’s glory.

This hits us in the area of our own conduct. Does my faith make any difference to my conduct? Paul’s desire is to bring about the “obedience of faith”. Not just faith, and not just obedience.

But it also hits us in the area of our concern for the lost around us. Do I desire that God’s glory be magnified by the gospel changing other people’s lives? Or do I just see the gospel in terms of my own salvation?

Paul had a tremendous responsibility given to him. He was appointed an apostle of Jesus Christ. But he did not think of himself as a celebrity. Instead, he describes himself as a slave. A servant. He was appointed to bring the gospel to people, and his concern was to faithfully discharge his duties as a slave of his Lord. He desired to point people to his Lord and in so doing, to glorify his Lord.

And although we are not called to be apostles, we also are slaves to our Lord, and our concern should be to faithfully discharge our duties to Him in a way that brings Him glory.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Paul tells us that the Old Testament scriptures point us to Christ. They tell us about the “Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh”. The scriptures are all about Christ. If we don’t see Jesus Christ in the Old Testament scriptures, the problem is not that He isn’t there. Rather the problem is that we are missing Him in the scriptures.

And the resurrection of Christ declares to us that not only were the Old Testament scriptures correct in what they tell us about the coming Son of David, but that what Jesus had to say about Himself is accurate. “[He] was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord….”

The proof that the Old Testament scriptures are accurate and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is in His resurrection from the dead.